There is no denying the merit of natural medicine. But when it comes to managing serious and chronic conditions, such as diabetes or cancer, a blend of Western and Eastern medicine is oftentimes required. An herbalist who failed to recognize this is now serving jail time in a California prison.

According to The Washington Post, herbalist Timothy Morrow, 84, told the family of a 13-year-old with diabetes to rub lavender oil into his spine instead of using insulin. After the boy died from complications relating to type-1 diabetes, Morrow was sentenced for practicing medicine without a license, as well as one count of child abuse likely to produce great bodily injury or death. Morrow entered a no contest plea.

KTLA reports that prosecutors told the court how Morrow started “treating” Edgar Lopez after his mother attended one of his talks. Shortly afterward, Morrow advised the family to stop the boy’s insulin regime. He told them it was “poison.” Instead, he recommended they use herbs, including lavender, which he sells on his website Common Sense Herbs.View image on Twitter

Almost immediately, the boy became sick. He struggled to keep food down, lost a lot of weight, was having difficulties breathing, and felt cold to the touch. When the family questioned Morrow about the symptoms, the herbalist replied that their son was going through a “healing crisis.” He also advised them against seeking medical help.

“He told us that if we took the child to the hospital, he would get killed there,” said Delfino Lopez Solis, the boy’s father. The next day, the boy died in his home. “The medical examiner determined the victim would have lived had he received proper medical treatment,” said a statement from the US Attorney’s Office.

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During the trial, the defense told the court that the herbs “prescribed” by Morrow came with the warning “this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.” But according to the boy’s mother, Morrow touted his “pancreas reg” (pancreatic regeneration protein) as “God’s insulin,” claiming that it could be used in place of actual insulin.

The court alleged that Madgrigal, the boy’s mother, was brainwashed by Morrow. Before her son’s death, she refused to give Edgar his insulin — even though he had asked for it. Madgrigal told the jury, “on my last call [to Morrow], my son was telling him, may I call 911, may I call 911? My son could not breathe anymore.” Morrow told them no.

WFTV reports that this isn’t the first time Morrow has advised people to stop conventional medical treatment. One man testified that his deceased wife, Carol Anne Waisanen, had used herbal “treatment” instead of prescribed medicine upon Morrow’s advice.

Morrow has been sentenced to four months in Los Angeles County Jail. The court also ordered him to pay $5,000 to the victim’s family for funeral costs.